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Seconds take centre stage at Eakring Road.
Security Plus Pennant
MANSFIELD 22 DERBY 22
Mansfield Seconds found themselves flying the flag on Saturday after fixture chaos saw Matlock decline a NLD cup tie in favour of a Derbyshire tie to leave the Firsts without a game. As controversy over an alternative date of 27th. December rumbled on the side turned their thoughts back to the League and a second meeting with Moderns in a month. A hard fought battle at Wilford saw Mansfield out score the Nottingham side four tries to two in a 29-10 win.
The game starts the second half of the season which sees Mansfield sitting top of the table and with all the others looking to shoot them down. “We have some very tricky away trips and two sides coming to Eakring Road who will want the points to secure their promotion,” mused Coach John Tasker, “plus local derbies. There are no easy games in this league and I just want to avoid injuries that could be crucial for all the clubs.”
The shortest day means that Mansfield will kick off at 2p.m. on Saturday.
If injuries do come along he will have seen some impressive reserves as Mansfield Seconds showed total forward dominance to counter a lightning fast Derby back division. Leeson opened the scoring on fifteen minutes following strong running through the centre by Wright. Derby went ahead with a converted try ten minutes later with a converted score but Mansfield took just two minutes to cancel it out. Draycott and Broadhurst linked well before Hall outstripped the defence, Leeson added the conversion.
Derby brought the score to 12-12 on the stroke of half time and the ding dong scoring continued through the second period despite Mansfield’s forwards ensuring the game was in the Derby 22 for over thirty minutes. Draycott, moving to scrum half grabbed the first of his two tries with ten minutes remaining. Many believed that would be the winning score but a sensational final three minutes and stoppage time added three more tries.
Derby broke the length of the field to even things out at 17-17 and then repeated the feat to go five points in front as the ref indicated one minute to play. A clever switch kick off was met by Draycott, recovered by Harrison and Mansfield forced a line out with fifteen seconds to play. The catch by Pike and Mansfield drove over, Draycott controlling the touch down. From the touchline Leeson saw a superbly struck conversion come back off the post, a draw but for their forward domination Mansfield really deserved the win.
Mansfield U15s win away at Ilkeston 17-0. A try for No.8 Aiden McGregor and another for flanker Captain Tom Calladine who ran 30m in under the posts from an intercepted opposition quick throw. His well read and taken gift was just reward for prolonged periods of pressure and many creative opportunities that were just denied by small final errors Fly half Jonathan Williams kicked the 2 conversions and added 1 penalty goal. Stirling defence
and tight control against a stiff wind, and sloping pitch, kept a clean sheet. The entire front row of Nick Bansal, Niall Goldie and hooker Samuel Johnson were declared Mansfield's 'Men of the Match'
Mansfield U13s continued their winning ways against Melton Mowbray 42-10, with some fine individual performances, notably man of the match Daniel Dugdale. Try scores were John Ross, Adam Shaw, Jono Cordin, Daniel Dugdale, Ryan Hough and Ross Elms all converted by Ross Elms.
Mansfield U11’s were again in a three way this fixture this week, entertaining Ilkeston and Dinnington. The lads started well against a good Ilkeston side and took a 14 – 0 lead into half time. The second half saw Ilkeston come back strongly to claim a 14 -14 draw, and a fair result to an entertaining match. In their second outing Mansfield came up against a genuine under 12 side from Dinnington, who were both strong and well drilled, and this proved too much for the home side with Dinnington handing a first defeat of the season to the U11’s. The never say die attitude was apparent right to the end and great credit must be given to all lads involved. The final match saw Mansfield again in action against a mixed U11 / 12 Dinnington side, and this time Mansfield showed what they were capable of, taking the game to their opponents and securing a 22 – 0 victory. The squad should all feel very proud of their achievements in the first half of the season, and we hope the improvements continue in the post Christmas matches. |
